Inner spring structure



D66. 1940' R. c. WINDERS INNER SPRING STRUCTURE Filed April 4, 19 58 mum/17% 4 7A IN VEIVTOR Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in inner spring structures as used for cushioning mattresses, seats and the like and more particularly pertains to the arrangement of elements and parts for resiliently uniting a series of coil springs to form a complete inner spring unit which is efiectively reenforced by said tying means and which facilitates the folding or rolling of a mattress of which said unit forms a part, without breaking or deranging the tying means or the springs.

Another object of this invention is to provide an inner spring structure such as described wherein the tie elements for uniting the springs are constructed and arranged to minimize the breaking and derangement of the tie elements at the joints thereof with the springs.

A further object is to provide an inner spring structure of the character described wherein the tying elements may be quickly and easily applied to the springs and will effectively increase the upholstering supporting area between the coil springs and throughout the said structure.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in form, proportion, size and minor details of. construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a part of an inner spring structure, showing the manner of and means for. uniting the springs in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the plane of line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the plane of line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of one of the coil springs of the structure, showing the hook structure at the ends thereof.

In accordance with this invention I provide as one embodiment thereof an inner spring structure made up of a plurality of coil springs A which are resiliently united in rows as is customary in the art, by means of a novel and efiicacious combination of sinuous resilient wire tie members B, flexible elements C such as fiber cords, and especially constructed end portions D of the coil springs A. As here shown the flexible or fiber cord elements C extend across the structure in one direction and the sinuous resilient wire tie members B extend across the structure at right angles to the cord elements. As a result of this" arrangement and due to the construction of the several tie elements B, C and D, a mattress, seat or the like equipped with the inner spring structure hereof may be easily folded or, rolled into small compass without breaking, distorting or deranging the tie elements or the springs; Coacting with thev coil springs the sinuous spring wire members B provide an additional resiliently yielding support for the fabric, padding or the like; as the alternate. bends thereof are disposed l to lie fiat in the surface plane of the structure between the surface supporting ends of the coils, thus affording amplified surface extent in the structure surface to lessen the action of wear H of the upholstery. Further, the sinuous form of the members B provide resilient action of the parts with relation to the joints of the structure to minimize disruption thereof.

As here provided each sinuous tie member B is formed of a piece of resilient wire having bends I and 2 thereof angularly related instead of being in a common. plane. Preferably these bends are alternately disposed in substantially horizontal and in substantially vertical planes, the bends I being horizontal, or better, disposed in planes substantially parallel with the plane surface of the spring structurawhereas the bends 2 extend more nearly in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the coil springs. I

The ends D of the springs A are each bent to forma U shaped loop 3 and a contiguous hook 4, extending inwardly from the plane of the end turns of the coil and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil. p

In afiixing. the sinuous wire members B certain of the bends I are hooked over the end coils of the springs A of one row so as to overlie portions E of the end coils at points spaced from and diametrically opposite the ends D thereof. This causes the bends 2 on opposite sides of said overlaid bends I to loop or hook around portions F of said end coils. When the wire ties are thus positioned, the U shaped loops 3 of the ends D of the next adjacent row of springs, are extended inwardly between the bends I and the portions E whereby to hold said bends in radially extended relation to said portions E and maintain the bends 2 hooked around .the portions F.

To hold the U shaped loops 3 in place between the bends I and coil portions E, the fiber cord tie elements C are extended through the loops 3 surrounded by the bends I and the portions E, or in other words that portion of the loop extending inwardly ,of said portions E and I. It is thus seen that bends I and portions E form eyes for the loops 3, whereas loops 3 and portions E and I for-m eyes through which the tie elements C are threaded or reeved. The hook ends 4 extend around and over the bends I and together with the overlying portions G of the end coils hold the bends- I in place against portions E.

It is now seen that the. elements B, C and D are effectively interlocked and provide strong but flexible and resilient joints uniting the coil springs. The bends I and 2 which are disposed intermediate these joints lend resiliency and flexibility which prevents the breaking of the wire ties at the joints and, due to the lateral disposition of the bends I, a better and an added upholstery supporting area is afforded.

At their ends the tie members 13 are bent as hooks 5 which loop around the end coils of the springs A at points adjacent the portions E of said coils.

At certain opposed margins of the coil spring structure the bends I are held in place over the portions H of the end coils by extending the cords C through and around the said bends and portions H and suitably knotting said cords as at J. As here shown and as looking down on one side of the spring unit the cords are extended under portions H, up through the eyes formed by the bends I and portions H, and around over the bends I, under and inwardly across the portions H, then over and across the portions K of the cords then under and across the portions H and finally down through and outwardly under the bends I, to thereby form knots for firmly securing the cord ends and also the bends to the coil springs.

I claim:

1. A spring structure including a pair of adjoining coil springs of which one is provided at the free end of one end coil with a substantially U shaped loop disposed opposite a portion of the corresponding end coil of the other spring, which portion is spaced from the free end of the second named end coil, a sinuous spring wire tie member extending under and then over the second named end coil on one side of said portion then laterally around said loop and then over and under said second named end coil on the other side of said portion, the tie member and said portion closing said loop and forming therewith an eye, and a flexible tie member threaded through said eye, said first named end coil having a hook contiguous with said loop, under which hook said sinuous tie element extends in embracing said loop.

2. A spring structure including a pair of adjoining coil springs of which one is provided at the free end of one end coil with a substantially U shaped loop disposed opposite a portion of the corresponding end coil of the other spring, which portion is spaced from the free end of the second named end coil, a sinuous spring wire tie member extending under and then over the second named end coil on one side of said portion then laterally around said loop and then over and under said second named end coil on the other side of said portion, the tie member and said portion closing said loop and forming therewith an eye, and a flexible tie member threaded through said eye, said first named end coil having a hook contiguous with said loop, under which hook said sinuous tie element extends in embracing said loop, said sinuous member having an end portion arranged to hook under the first named coil at a point adjacent and inwardly of said loop.

3. A spring structure including a pair of adjoining coil springs of which one is provided at the free end of one end coil with a substantially U shaped loop disposed opposite a portion of the corresponding end coil of the other spring, which portion is spaced from the free end of the second named end coil, a sinuous spring wire tie member extending under and then over the second named end coil on one side of said portion then laterally around said loop and then over and under said second named end coil on the other side of said portion, the tie member and said portion closing said loop and forming therewith an eye, and a flexible tie member threaded through said eye, said sinuous member having certain bends substantially co-planar with said end coils and other bends extending angularly inwardly from the plane of said end coils, one of said co-planar bends embodying the aforesaid parts of the wire tie member which extend over the second named end coil and around said loop; the angularly extended bends which are contiguous with said one co-planar bend, embodying the aforesaid parts of the wire tie which extend under said second named end coil.

4. An inner spring structure, comprising a plurality of coil springs and a plurality of rows of sinuous spring wire tie members adapted to be joined to end coils of said springs, and having bends which are substantially co-planar with said end coils and other bends which extend angularly and inwardly from the plane of said first named bends, upwardly opening loops formed at the free ends of said end coils certain of said co-planar bends and contiguous inwardly extending bends respectively embracing and forming with said upwardly opening loops and intermediate-the-end portions of end coils of adjacent springs a plurality of eyes, and flexible tie members passing through said eyes above the closed ends of said loops and beneath said wire tie members and intermediate-the-end-portions of said end coils.

ROBERT CHESTER WINDERS. 

